Birthday party for Jesus celebrates true meaning of Christmas

Published: 2005-12-20

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CNS) -- More than 10 years ago the Daughters of St. Paul in Alexandria decided to create an event for families to help children grasp and understand the real meaning of Christmas. Instead of having a focus on Santa Claus and presents, they wanted to help them realize that on Dec. 25 they should be celebrating the birth of Christ. With that idea in mind, they planned the first celebration of Jesus' birthday party at Pauline Books and Media in Alexandria's Old Town district. This year about 120 families -- including about 200 children -- attended the celebration, held Dec. 9 and 10. The birthday party for Jesus was like many others with cake, balloons and photo opportunities. In the Daughters of St. Paul chapel, family members dressed in costumes to look like Joseph, Mary, shepherds, kings or angels and gathered around a statue of Jesus lying in the manger.

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